Abstract:
Darlot Gold Mine utilises the long hole open stope mining method with cemented paste fill to extract 100% of Lode 1. Paste fill is side exposed and undercut as adjacent stopes are extracted.
During 2016~2017 laboratory and large scale (site based) trials were undertaken using MasterRoc MF 505C with aim of increasing the quality of paste fill, in order that paste development, side exposure and undercut curing times could be reduced and Lode 1 extraction rate increased.
The greatest strength gain was observed within the 14~28 day undercut curing window, with 400 mL per wet tonne chemical addition.
Based on trial results to date, the addition of MasterRoc MF 505C to paste fill mix will allow a two-day reduction in undercut curing time compared to LOM plan.